The show was split in half by by an intermission. The first half of the show (the black dress half) was Joanna with full orchestra. The second half (the pink dress half) was Joanna and 3-piece band. I definitely never saw her play with an orchestra before, and I'm pretty sure it was the first time I even saw her play with more than just one person occasionaly accompanying her. She had a drummer, banjo player, and violin player in her non-orchestra band, and all of them were playing so good together, and singing backup .....I loved it.

The Brooklyn Philharmonic Crchestra was great too, but it is the parts without them that stand out most in my mind - Joanna just being Joanna...singing the songs I love most....in a concert hall...with drums. The orchestra only played songs from the new album I think - songs arranged by Van Dyke Parks. The second half was mostly older stuff, and two completely new songs. Then for the encore she didn't play harp, or with a band, but instead stood and sang with her old friend what's-his-name accompanying her on banjo.

Being seated in a concert hall, with those acoustics, and a great band, and hearing those songs....it brought back all the good feelings I used to have listening to the The Milk-Eyed Mender over and over and over and over. I didn't want the show to end. I think I may be obsessed again. More pictures below....

the show was indeed incredible, although i can't disagree with you more about her playing of the entire Ys album in the first half. those songs are some of the most moving pieces i've heard and upon hearing them live with the orchestra i cried during at least 3. it was icing on the cake to hear her playing virtually all of my faves from Milk-Eyed Mender. the addition of the band, as well as her strikingly increased vocal power and control (at least since the albums - i've never seen her live), lent a mature and developed sound to the music. for me, that allowed the music to shed the almost-kitschy (albeit the extremely endearing) childishness and innocence that, while beautiful in its own way and part of the reason i got hooked on joanna newsom to begin with, at times masked her music's intrinsic legitimacy as amazing music qua amazing music.

finally, i agree with the comment about being able to do without the obama speak. i have nothing against obama at all, but given that the few substantive points made seemed self-conscious afterthoughts, it seemed a little like showing off and out of place. it came close to breaking the mood for me. frankly, i don't care what most young musicians think about politics. all that being said, there was also a sense that he felt he was doing something important by mentioning it and that was heartwarming.

right on kat. Hearing all of Ys was monumental. I'm much more into the Ys material than her other stuff. There's something about the songs on Ys that make them much more than songs. And her voice and playing were so honed. How the hell does she do both at the same time?? That one part of monkey and bear was captivating . . .

God, when she got all flaming lippy with the political stuff . . .it's one thing if you're outright making political art, but other than that its disrespectful to your fans to be so brazen, especially without making any worthwhile arguments besides "he's the first candidate of the world" or something. Very distracting.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find her voice extremely whiny and annoying and doesn't understand what all the buzz is about? maybe it's just me. I can hardly listen to her music, even though I enjoy that genre.

this show made me feel like all the other indie pop music i (/we) listen to is total crap. also the drummer (who did a wonderful job, btw) almost ruined the show with his political comments, which were more childish admiration than political opinion.

"What's his name" with the banjo has a name, it is KEVIN BARKER, who has his own band called Currituck Co. and has played with Vetiver, Antony & the Johnsons, and just played with Feist on SNL as as well. He is a talented dude.

"What's his name" with the banjo has a name, it is KEVIN BARKER, who has his own band called Currituck Co. and has played with Vetiver, Antony & the Johnsons, and just played with Feist on SNL as as well. He is a talented dude.

"What's his name" with the banjo has a name, it is KEVIN BARKER, who has his own band called Currituck Co. and has played with Vetiver, Antony & the Johnsons, and just played with Feist on SNL as as well. He is a talented dude.

I have seen several people commenting on what time Joanna went on. I work with Brooklyn Philharmonic and unless there are long ticket lines (like last night) Joanna will go on right at 8. I suggest you get to BAM by 7:30 or you could risk being held in the lobby. BAM does not allow seating during songs, and its not worth it to miss a second of the show.

Absolutely Priceless!!! Fucking hilarious and right on the money comment response. I am still laughing. Well Done. Did Anon 7:39 really think anyone would give a shit who they walked to a fucking show with?????

We went 2/1, and it was spectacular. She was quirky, but it was forgivable because she and the other musicians were powerful, beautiful, and gave us a great performance.
Dear starfuckers. Try going to BAM more often. It's a wonderful venue with wonderful performances and there are always plenty of celebrities to drool over. They even see modern dance and theater. Just keep it to yourself. No one cares how close you got to Amy Poehler except for you. You live in NYC. Get over it.
Dear political wusses: I feel sorry for you if you can't bear people people on stage talking politics in public days before a primary vote. Perhaps if you tried doing it once in a while, our leaders wouldn't be elected by (and our legislation wouldn't be written by) corporations. The world is a worse place when we separate our cultural and political worlds. They're both our reality.

The show was so great but the fucking asshole sitting next to me insisted on leaning over in my direction the whole fucking time. He and his girlfriend switched seats during intermission but during the whole Ys set all I could think about was how I'd been waiting all those months for the show and this douchebag had to fucking ruin it by practically sitting in my lap. The show was still incredible but my memory is tainted. My penchant for Joanna is now a full blown obsession.